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Umrah 2026 Guide for Pilgrims From India

Last updated: May 15, 2026

Most Indian pilgrims follow one of these paths:

Nusuk packages & travel agents

Nusuk

Nusuk is the official platform under the supervision of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Depending on the package/provider, it may include visa handling and services (hotel, transport, etc.).

Travel agents

The Ministry of Minority Affairs, Haj Division (the nodal ministry for Haj and Umrah in India) releases the list of authorised travel agents and Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) verified to conduct pilgrimage tours to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Refer to the official list for a verified provider in your residential city.

Always verify your agent’s current status on the Haj Committee of India website or Nusuk before booking to avoid fraud.

Best for: first-time travellers, families, and anyone who wants a guided end-to-end booking.

Umrah permit

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that holders of all visa types — including personal and family visit visas, tourist e-Visas, transit visas, work visas, and residency — may perform Umrah while in the Kingdom. This is subject to rules and restrictions in certain periods, including the Hajj season.

Best for: travellers who already have a valid Saudi visa for another purpose and want to add Umrah (where permitted).

Note: The right visa path depends on your circumstances and the season. If you’re unsure, use an authorised provider or confirm with an official channel.

Umrah permits in 2026: how booking works

In many periods, you’ll need an official permit/time slot to perform Umrah (and separately, to visit the Rawdah in Madinah when available).

How to book

Install/open Nusuk and create an account.
Add your personal and travel details (passport/visa details as prompted).
Select Umrah (and Rawdah, if you plan to visit).
Choose an available date/time slot and confirm.
Keep your permit/QR available on your phone for entry checks.

Note for Indian pilgrims: Umrah visas for Indian passport holders are currently routed through authorised Indian travel agents, who handle the Nusuk-linked hotel and transport bookings as part of the visa process. Once you arrive in the Kingdom, you (or anyone of any visa type) can use the Nusuk app directly to book Umrah and Rawdah permits.

Crowd management note: During peak times (Ramadan and high-demand periods), slots may be limited and enforcement stricter.

Requirements

Before you start booking or applying, have these ready:

Core documents

Passport with at least 6 months’ validity beyond entry.
A passport-style photo that matches the current portal/app requirements.
Active email address and working phone number.
Debit/credit card for online payments (where applicable).

Travel readiness

Hotel address(es) and contact numbers (Makkah and/or Madinah).
Provider emergency contact (if you booked a package).
Medicines in original packaging + prescriptions (if needed).

Age and family travel

There is no minimum age to perform Umrah. Children of any age may travel, but each child needs their own Saudi visa and passport and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Minors under 18 must be linked to the application of a parent or legal guardian holding a valid visa.
Women in later stages of pregnancy are subject to airline fitness-to-fly rules. Most carriers permit unrestricted travel up to about 28 weeks, require a medical certificate from 28 to 35 weeks, and do not permit travel from 36 weeks onwards; check your specific airline’s policy before booking.
A court order restricting foreign travel (for example, a Look Out Circular or similar judicial bar) would prevent a passenger from leaving India regardless of the purpose of travel, including Umrah.

Note: Separately, Saudi Arabia has banned children under 12 from performing Hajj in 2026 on safety grounds. This Hajj-only rule does not apply to Umrah.

Rules for minors and guardianship can vary by platform/provider and season. If travelling with children, verify requirements during booking.

Health and vaccination requirements

Health rules can change by season and country-of-departure status. Before you finalise travel:

Check the latest Saudi Ministry of Health Umrah/visit health requirements for the current Hijri year.
Saudi MOH mandates a quadrivalent (ACWY) meningococcal vaccine for all Umrah pilgrims aged 1 year and older, administered at least 10 days before arrival and within the validity period (3 years for polysaccharide vaccines; 5 years for conjugate vaccines).
Seasonal influenza and COVID-19 recommendations may apply, depending on country of departure.

Planning Your Umrah 2026

Best time to travel

Many pilgrims opt for Umrah during Ramadan for its spiritual rewards, but this is the peak season. As a result, permits, hotels, and transport can be much more crowded and expensive — particularly in the last ten nights.

Tips for a smoother trip

Timing: Travel outside peak weeks if your schedule allows, to avoid the heaviest crowds.
Permits: Book your Nusuk permits early and strictly adhere to your allocated slot time.
Accommodation: Choose hotels based on walking distance and ease of access to the Haram rather than just star rating.
Key dates: Ramadan 2026 ran from 18 February to 19 March 2026 (Saudi Arabia began Ramadan on 18 February after the crescent was sighted on 17 February). Ramadan 2027 is expected in early February 2027, subject to moon sighting.

Budgeting

Umrah costs vary widely depending on the season, hotel proximity, and package inclusions.

Estimated Price Ranges (Ground Only)
- Economy: SAR 2,500 to 4,000 (approx. INR 60,300 to 96,400 / USD 667 to 1,067).
- Luxury/VIP: SAR 5,500 to 14,000+ (approx. INR 1,32,600 to 3,37,500+ / USD 1,467 to 3,733+).

Estimated Price Ranges (Full Packages inc. Flights)
- Economy (starting from): approx. SAR 2,780 / INR 67,000 / USD 740.
- Luxury (starting from): approx. SAR 4,770 / INR 1,15,000 / USD 1,270.

Official fees: If paying via an official portal, the total is shown at checkout and is subject to change.
Package transparency: When booking a package, always request a full itemised breakdown — visa handling, flights, hotel nights, transport, meals, Ziyarat (tours), and cancellation terms.

Note: Avoid trusting fixed “starting from” hotel or visa prices in articles, as rates fluctuate daily.

Common Umrah issues

I can’t find permit slots in Nusuk

Try different dates/times (weekdays vs weekends).
Check again later — inventory can refresh.
During peak times, slots may be limited by crowd controls.

I didn’t receive an email confirmation

Check spam/junk folders.
Log in to the same account and check your booking/visa status.
Use the official support/contact option shown in the portal/app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can Indians perform Umrah in 2026?

Yes. Planning depends on your visa route, season, and the availability of official permits/time slots.

Can I perform Umrah on a tourist e-Visa or another visa type?

Yes, in most periods. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has confirmed that holders of all visa types — including visit, tourist e-Visa, transit, work, and residency visas — may perform Umrah while in the Kingdom, subject to rules and restrictions during certain periods (including the Hajj season).

Do I need an Umrah permit?

Yes, especially in busy periods. Book via the Nusuk app. Without a valid permit, pilgrims may be refused entry to Masjid al-Haram even if they hold an Umrah visa.

Can I do Hajj on the same arrangements?

No. Hajj has separate rules, a separate visa, and seasonal controls. Treat Hajj planning as a different process.

What vaccines do I need?

A quadrivalent (ACWY) meningococcal vaccine is mandatory. Saudi MOH requires it for all Umrah pilgrims aged 1 year and older, administered at least 10 days before arrival and within the vaccine’s validity period (3 years for polysaccharide; 5 years for conjugate).

Are children allowed on Umrah in 2026?

Yes. There is no minimum age for Umrah; children of any age may travel with a parent or legal guardian. Each child needs their own Saudi visa and passport. (The ban on children under 12 applies only to Hajj 2026, not Umrah.)

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.